Grizzlies, on top of Cameron Boozer, have another young player impressing

The Memphis Grizzlies already have plenty of excitement surrounding Cameron Boozer. But, hard stop. He’s not the only young player giving the team reasons to feel good about the future.

Cedric Coward has continued to show why he’s an important part of the Grizzlies’ young lineup. The No. 11 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft averaged 13.6 points per game during his rookie season, and he’s carried that confidence into Summer League while getting valuable time alongside his new teammate Boozer.

Coward put together one of his best performances Saturday, notching 28 points and knocking down four 3-pointers to help Memphis advance to Sunday’s Summer League championship game. It was the kind of offensive showing that stood out, especially from a player who already has some NBA experience under his belt.

For the Grizzlies, these summer games aren’t just about getting wins. They’re about building chemistry and figuring out how young pieces fit together. Getting Coward comfortable playing next to Boozer is a big part of that process, and every extra possession helps.

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What makes Coward intriguing is his ability to create offense without needing everything to run through him. He can score in different ways and give Memphis another player defenses have to respect.

Of course, Summer League comes with the usual reminders. The competition is different, the rotations are constantly changing and a good stretch in July doesn’t guarantee anything in October. Still, strong performances show what a player can do when given an opportunity.

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The Grizzlies already know what they have in Coward. Now they’re getting another look at how much more he might become.

With Boozer grabbing headlines, Coward is making sure nobody forgets his name.